Aruma Resources Ltd (ASX:AAJ)earlier this week commenced an approximately 3,600-metre Phase 2 diamond drilling program at the Tillex Copper-Silver Project in Ontario, with the campaign designed to test strike and depth extensions to the mineralised system outlined during its initial drilling.
Managing Director Grant Ferguson said the program would continue testing along the known southwest strike extent, assess whether mineralisation extended farther southwest and begin evaluating the deposit’s depth potential.
A major focus will be a strong electromagnetic conductor identified through downhole surveying after Phase 1 drilling. Ferguson described the target as “very significant for us” and said its importance was supported by mineralisation zoning observed around the known wide, high-grade copper intersections.
He added that volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits in the region, including Kidd Creek, could display a plunge component. Aruma would therefore investigate whether similar geometry could be present at Tillex.
The electromagnetic target represents one of the most closely watched potential catalysts from the new campaign. A drilling intersection associated with the conductor could help Aruma establish whether the known mineralisation continues beyond the current limits of testing.
Ferguson said Phase 1 had demonstrated a robust mineralised zone in the northern part of the project. The campaign had also provided metallurgical samples and identified a mineralised porphyry unit approximately 15 to 20 metres wide within the broader copper-bearing sequence.
Tillex has so far been drilled to only around 150 metres below surface, beneath approximately 25 to 35 metres of overburden. Ferguson said the company would seek to define the shallow mineralisation more clearly while also testing deeper extensions.
The broader objective is to expand the mineralised footprint, improve understanding of the system’s geometry and continuity and advance the project towards a maiden mineral resource estimate.
Upcoming drilling results are likely to be the company’s principal near-term catalyst. Ferguson said progress would be “very much driven by the drill bit” and that investors could expect a continuous flow of information over the next several months.
Further catalysts may also emerge from Aruma’s assessment of opportunities to expand its regional footprint. Ferguson said there was considerable activity around Tillex and described the company’s approach to advancing the project as aggressive.
Interview highlights
- Aruma Resources has started an approximately 3,600-metre Phase 2 diamond drilling program at the Tillex Copper-Silver Project in Ontario.
- The campaign will test the known southwest strike extent, investigate possible extensions farther southwest and begin assessing the deposit’s depth potential.
- Drilling will target a strong downhole electromagnetic conductor interpreted to extend beyond the limits of current drilling.
- Grant Ferguson described the conductor as “very significant for us”, with mineralisation zoning also supporting the possibility of a more conductive extension to the known copper intersections.
- Aruma is considering whether the Tillex mineralisation may have a plunge component comparable with volcanogenic massive sulphide systems elsewhere in the region.
- Phase 1 drilling outlined a robust mineralised zone containing wide, high-grade copper-silver intersections.
- The initial campaign also produced metallurgical samples and identified a mineralised porphyry unit approximately 15 to 20 metres wide.
- Mineralisation has so far been tested to only about 150 metres below surface, leaving further depth potential to be assessed.
- The company aims to define both shallow and deeper mineralisation, improve its understanding of the system’s geometry and continuity and support work towards a maiden mineral resource estimate.
- Aruma expects a continuing flow of drilling-related news over the coming months.
- The company is also reviewing opportunities to expand its footprint in the surrounding area.
Proactive: Aruma Resources Ltd (ASX:AAJ) has kicked off the second phase of diamond drilling at the Tillex Copper-Silver Project in Ontario, targeting extensions to the wide, high-grade mineralisation identified in its initial campaign. Here to discuss the new campaign is Managing Director Grant Ferguson. Grant, good to see you.
Grant Ferguson: Jonathan, great to be back.
Proactive: It is good to have you. Let’s talk about the new approximately 3,600-metre Phase 2 drilling program. What are the main objectives?
Grant Ferguson: The key objectives for this round of drilling are to continue testing along the known southwest strike extent of the project, assess the possibility of extending it farther southwest and, importantly, begin testing the depth extent.
We also want to investigate the electromagnetic conductor delineated by downhole electromagnetic surveying following our recent Phase 1 drilling.
Proactive: How significant is that electromagnetic conductor?
Grant Ferguson: It is very significant for us. It is not just the downhole electromagnetic conductor itself, but also the mineralisation zoning we have been examining. That appears to provide further support for a potentially more conductive area extending from the known wide, high-grade copper intersections.
We also know that volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits in the area, particularly Kidd Creek, can have a plunge component. We therefore see that as an important aspect of what we are trying to test.
Proactive: I want to go back to Phase 1 for a moment. What did the broad, high-grade copper-silver results reveal about the scale potential of the deposit?
Grant Ferguson: It was our first drilling program at the new project. We had to complete a twin hole and then undertook further drilling.
What the program demonstrated is that this is a very robust and supportable mineralised zone. The northern area contains wide, high-grade mineralisation and also provided us with metallurgical samples.
The drilling also highlighted an interesting mineralised porphyry unit, approximately 15 to 20 metres wide, sitting within the known hosted copper mineralisation in the argillite.
Proactive: Aruma is looking to expand the mineralised footprint and move towards a maiden mineral resource estimate. What is the company trying to achieve to reach that point?
Grant Ferguson: There are two aspects to it. We currently have sulphide mineralisation delineated to a depth of around 150 metres below surface.
There is approximately 25 to 35 metres of overburden, and drilling has only tested to about 150 metres. The objective is therefore to continue working across the system, defining the shallow mineralisation while also beginning to highlight the depth potential.
That is a key aspect of our future resource targeting. We also want to understand and demonstrate the project’s potential regional scalability.
Proactive: It is expected to be a relatively quick program, with drilling due to wrap up next month. What key milestones should investors watch for, including assay results and developments beyond the current campaign?
Grant Ferguson: The key milestones will be driven by the drill bit. We want to consolidate and enhance our understanding of the mineralised system and demonstrate that it is robust and well understood.
Over the next couple of months, we expect a continuous flow of information from the drilling program. We are also looking at other opportunities to expand our footprint in the area.
There is a lot of activity around the project at the moment and an aggressive drive to advance it, so it is a very exciting time.
Proactive: Grant, there is plenty going on to keep you busy. Thanks for your time this morning. We will catch up as the results come through.
Grant Ferguson: Thank you very much. Thanks a lot, Jonathan.